Folding step and seat.



N.vs2,s9s. PATENTED FEB;l4,1'905.

0. N. HAZBLTON.

FOLDING STEP AND SEAT.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 23,1904.

Patented February 14, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES N. HAZELTON, OF MORRISON, ILLINOIS.

FOLDING STEP AND SEAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 382,393, dated February 14, 1905.

Application filed June 23, 1904- Serial No. 213,758.

T 0 whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES N. HAZELTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Morrison, in the county of'VVhiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Folding Steps and Seats; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use'the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention comprises a combined folding seat and step, and is capable of a variety of uses, which will be particularly set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation showingmy device in use as a seat. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the parts folded together. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing my invention in use as a step. Fig. 4 is a' vertical longitudinal section centrally of my. device when in the position shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a similar View when in the position shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a transverse section, in the line 6 6 of Fig. 2, showing the locking device.

Similar characters refer to similar parts throughout the several figures.

My invention consists primarily of a frame formed of an inner pair of legs 1 1, rigidly united at their central portions by astep 2, and

an outer pair of legs 3 3, pivotally secured to the outer faces of the legs 1, as at a, in the usual camp-stool fashion. The legs 1 are'broadened at the point of junction with the ends of the step 2 and are preferably provided with a 4 shallow channel to receive the ends of the step and assist in supporting the same. Each of the legs 3 is formed of two pieces hinged to each other on their upper faces, as at b. The upper ends of the two pairs of legs are rigidly connected by cross-pieces 4t, supporting a flexible seat 5, preferably constructed of canvas or duck. Pivoted at one end on the outer face of each of the legs 1 is a jointed brace 6,the parts thereof being hinged on their 5 lower faces, as at c, the free ends of such braces being adapted to engage notches 7 in the upper sections of the legs 3. The lower ends of each pair of legs are united by a round 8, and cords 9 prevent the separation of the two pairs of legs beyond a desired distance. When the braces 6 are released from engagement with the legs 3 and dropped downwardly, they are prevented from moving outwardly by pins 10, secured at a suitable point to the legs 1 and projecting beyond the outer faces of such legs sufliciently to support the braces 6.

The width of the seat 5 is such that the edges thereof are slightly inside of the outer faces of legs 1, so that when the device is closed the legs 3 pass by the ends of the folded seat. To prevent the fold of the seat dropping outwardly in case the device is held or carried in an inverted position, small knobs or buttons are provided on the inner .faces of the legs 3. These knobs retain the folded seat 5 in place against the legs 1, as shown in Fig. 5. I

To secure the device in folded condition while not, in use, a spring push-button 12 is secured in the outer face 'of one of the legs 1, while on the inner face of the corresponding leg 3 is a catch 13, having a perforation 14, adapted to engage the button 12'when the legs are closed and prevent the opening thereof. The free end of the catch 13 is bent outwardly sufficiently to cause the automatic operation thereof when the legs are closed.

15 represents a case which may be secured on the under side of the step 2, in which may be carried small articles of usefulness.

When used as a seat, the braces 6 are in position, as shown in Fig. 1, such bracesserving the double purpose of preventing the folding over of the upper sections of the legs 3 and keeping the seat 5 stretched in a taut condition. At the point of contact with the legs 3 the ends of the braces 6 are square or blunt and fit snugly against the side of the notches 7, by means of which such ends are less liable to become worn and permit the seat to sag.

When it is desired to use the device as a step, the braces 6 are released from the notches 7 and dropped downwardly and the upper sections of the legs 3 folded over adjacent to the legs 1, disclosing the step, as shown in Fig.

3. When the braces 6 are dropped downward, the free sections thereof come in contact with the pins 10, while the lower ends thereof abut the edges of the legs 3, whereby a leverage is exerted upon the upper sections of the braces 6 to cause the same to lie adjacent to the upper sections of the legs 3 when the same are in the position shown in Fig. 3. As the device is further folded together the contact between the braces 6 and legs 3 is maintained until when the seat is completly closed, as shown in Fig. 2, the brace is held snugly against the leg.

As a step my invention is of great service in assisting a corpulent or feeble person into or out of a vehicle and can be conveniently carried in a carriage for this purpose. It can also be utilized as a third seat in a buggy for a child or small person. It is equally useful about the house to aid in procuring articles which are slightly out of reach from the floor, or it can be used as a foot-rest. As a seat it possesses all of the advantages of an ordinary camp-stool and is greatly superior thereto.

By reason of the step 2 being firmly secured to the legs 1 a rigid frame is produced much more durable than the ordinary stool, while the use of the braces 6 prevents the drawing together of the supporting-legs, so as to permit the seat to sag.

As will be seen in Fig. 5, by reason of the diagonal position of the step 2 with reference to the legs 1 when my device is closed it takes up little more room than the usual stool does. When the parts are folded together and secured by the catch 13, it can be conveniently carried in any position and opened at once upon releasing the catch.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,

1. In a device of the class named, a frame comprising an inner pair of legs; a step rigidly uniting such legs midway their ends; an outer pair of legs, pivotally secured to said inner pair, midway the ends of both of said pairs of legs; said outer pair of legs being jointed above the pivotal point, to permit the folding of the upper sections thereof adjacent to the upper parts of said inner pair of. legs; means for preventing the folding of said movable sections; and means for restricting the pivotal movement of said inner and outer pairs of legs away from each other, substantially as shown.

2. A device of the class named, comprising an inner pair of legs; a step, rigidly uniting said legs midway the ends thereof; an outer pair of legs, pivotally secured to said inner pair midway the ends of both of said pairs of legs; said outer pair of legs being jointed above their pivotal points, to permit a folding of the upper sections of such legsindependently of the lower portions thereof; a flexible seat, suitably supported on the upper ends of all of said legs; means for preventing the closing of said pairs of legs; and means for preventing the separation of said inner and outer pairs of legs beyond a desired distance, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a device of the class named, the combination of the legs 1; the step 2 uniting said legs; the legs 3, pivotally secured to the legs 1; the flexible seat 5, suitably supported on the legs 1 and 3; the braces 6, secured to the legs 1 and engaging the legs 3; the catch 13, on the leg 3, adapted to engage the button 12 on the leg 1, and means for preventing the separation of the two pairs of legs beyond a desired space, substantially as shown and set forth.

4. In a device of the class named, the combination of the legs 1; the step 2, rigidly uniting the same; the legs 3, pivotally secured to the legs 1, and jointed above their pivotal points; the flexible seat 5, suitably supported on the upper ends of the legs 1 and 3; the

jointed braces 6, pivotally secured to one of said pairs of legs, and engaging the other pair thereof; means for supporting such braces against the frame when not in use; means for preventing the separation of said pairs of legs pivotally beyond a desired distance; and means for locking said legs in folded position, substantially as set forth.

5. In a device of the class named, a frame comprising an inner pair of legs; a step rigidly connecting the same; an outer pair of legs, pivotally secured to'said inner pair, midway the ends of both of said pairs of legs; said outer pair of legs being jointed above the pivotal point, to permit the folding of the upper sections thereof adjacent 't'o' the inner pair of legs; means for rigidly uniting the upper and lower ends of both of said pairs of legs;

means for preventing the folding of said mov-.

able sections of the outer pair of legs; and means for preventing the separation of said inner and outer pairs of legs beyond a desired space, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES. N. HAZELTON.

WVitnesses;

M. C. GROVE, CHAS. H. WOODBURN. 

